Telescoping cleaning staff for artillery and method of use

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a telescoping cleaning staff that can be expanded to an elongated configuration for use within artillery (e.g., cleaning and maintenance of artillery) and collapsed to a reduced-length configuration for travel. The cleaning staff of the present invention is light weight, easy to expand and collapse, and can fit conveniently in a backpack or other sack, which is easily transportable by an artillery operator. When expanded, the telescoping cleaning staff can support at least about 150 pounds of force in tension or compression and thus is an effective tool for maintaining artillery.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/616,061, filed on Oct. 5,2004, and entitled “Telescoping Cleaning Staff for Artillery and Methodof Use” by Vazquez, the entire disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to cleaning staffs, and moreparticularly to telescoping cleaning staffs used for cleaning and/ormaintaining artillery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Artillery, especially tube artillery, such as mortars, howitzer,cannons, and field guns, are typically cleaned between fired shots.Generally, the artillery is cleaned with a brush to remove hot embersfrom the barrel of the weapon. If these hot embers are not removed theycould cause subsequently loaded shells to explode prematurely (e.g.,within the barrel), thereby potentially resulting in harm or injury tothe artillery operator. In between fired shots, maintenance work is alsoperformed on the artillery. For example, unexploded shells are extractedfrom the barrel prior to loading new ammunition.

Generally, the barrel of the artillery is cleaned and maintained with anelongated rod including a maintenance tool (e.g., brush, extractor) atone end. This elongated rod is referred to as a cleaning staff. Thelength of the cleaning staff is sized to complement the particularartillery to be cleaned. For example, a 4 foot cleaning rod can be usedto clean a mortar having a 3.5 foot barrel length.

Due to their length, conventional cleaning staffs are difficult to carryand transport, especially out in the field where artillery operators maybe involved in constant action, motion, and travel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in one embodiment, remedies the deficiencies of the priorart by providing a telescoping cleaning staff that can be expanded to anelongated configuration for use within artillery (e.g., cleaning andmaintenance of artillery) and collapsed to a reduced-lengthconfiguration for travel. The cleaning staff of the present invention islight weight, easy to expand and collapse, and can fit conveniently in abackpack or other sack, which is easily transportable by an artilleryoperator. When elongated, the cleaning staff has good mechanicalproperties (e.g., a four foot cleaning staff can support at least 150pounds of force in either compression or tension). The cleaning staffcan include an attachment device at one end, which allows for differenttools, such as brushes or extraction devices to be secured to thecleaning staff.

In one aspect, the invention provides a telescoping cleaning staff forartillery. The telescoping cleaning staff includes a body including aplurality of segments, the plurality of segments being translatable soas to form an elongated body.

Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include one or more ofthe following features. Each of the plurality of segments can interlockwith an adjacent segment to form the elongated body. The segments caninclude one or more buttons which lock adjacent segments together. Eachof the segments can include a constant cross-sectional profile. Theshape of the profile can be selected so as to fit comfortably within thehand of a user (e.g., circular or rounded edges). The shape of theprofile can be selected so as to minimize rolling of the cleaning staff(e.g., a triangular profile, a rounded triangular profile, a hexagonalprofile, a rounded hexagonal profile). In some embodiments, the cleaningstaff includes one or more expanders so as to provide a positive stopduring expansion of telescoping segments. One end of the cleaning staffcan include an attachment element to allow for tool attachment (e.g., abrush, extractor, cutting tool). Another end of the cleaning staff caninclude a handle. The plurality of segments can be made from aluminum.In some embodiments, the plurality of segments can be made from acomposite, such as a composite of epoxy and woven or aligned fibers.When in a collapsed configuration, the telescoping cleaning staff canhave a length less than about 17 inches long. When expanded, thetelescoping cleaning staff can have a length of about 48 inches long.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of expanding anunexpanded telescoping cleaning staff for artillery. The method includestranslating at least one of a plurality of segments which form thetelescoping cleaning staff for artillery to expand the telescopingcleaning staff; and securing the telescoping cleaning staff in anexpanded configuration. In some embodiments, translating includesrotating and advancing at least one of the plurality of segments. Thetelescoping cleaning staff can be secured in the expanded configurationby, for example, interlocking adjacent segments together. The method canfurther include attaching a tool to an end of the cleaning staff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an embodiment of a cleaning staff in anexpanded configuration and in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a picture of another embodiment of the cleaning staff in anexpanded configuration.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cleaning staff labeled Ain FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cleaning staff labeled Bin FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the cleaning staffshown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a telescoping cleaning staff 10 can be used toclean and maintain the barrel of a piece of artillery, such as, forexample, a mortar. The telescoping cleaning staff 10 includes aplurality of segments 15 (e.g., 4 segments labeled 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, and15 d) that have the same cross-sectional profile, but different outerdiameters. In one exemplary embodiment, each of the segments 15 a, 15 b,15 c, and 15 d have a circular cross-sectional shape, but the outerdiameter of 15 a is approximately 1 inch, the outer diameter of 15 b isapproximately 1.25 inches, the outer diameter of 15 c is approximately1.50 inches, and the outer diameter of 15 d is approximately 1.75inches. Segments 15 b, 15 c, and 15 d are hollow inside (e.g., tubular)and thus as a result, segment 15 a can fit within segment 15 b, segment15 b can fit within segment 15 c, and segment 15 c and fit withinsegment 15 d to form a collapsed or unexpanded configuration. Thecollapsed configuration can be sized (e.g., approximately 17 inches inlength) to fit within a sack or backpack for convenient travel.

When the segments are extended to form the expanded configuration, eachof the plurality of segments is positively locked in place using asecuring device, such as, for example a tapered helical nut that drivesa first cam through an opening 20 on an adjacent segment and a secondcam into a groove within the segment. An end of each of the plurality ofsegments 15 can include an expander 25 that provides for properplacement of the tube when expanded. The expander 25, which can be asimple collar secured to a segment by a fastener, allows each segment tobe expanded to a predetermined length and/or position to be locked withan adjacent segment.

In some embodiments, the plurality of segments 15 are extended to theexpanded configuration, by rotating the outer most segment (e.g., 15 d)and axially advancing that segment away from the remaining collapsedsegments. In some embodiments, the plurality of segments 15 are extendedby simply advancing (i.e., no rotation is used). Once extended, thesegment is then locked into position by the securing device, therebypreventing accidental collapse of the cleaning staff during use (e.g.,cleaning or maintenance). Each segment can be extended in a likewisefashion to form the expanded configuration.

Each of the plurality of segments 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, and 15 d are formedfrom a light weight but strong metal, such as aluminum, or from acomposite material, such as for example, fiberglass or carbon-fiberdisposed in a resin. When in the expanded configuration (e.g., 48 to 60inches), the cleaning staff 10 has enough strength so as to be able tosupport at least about 150 pounds of force in tension and/orcompression. In some embodiments, the cleaning staff 10 has enoughstrength to support about 200 pounds of force in tension and/orcompression. In certain embodiments, the cleaning staff 10 has enoughstrength to support about 300 pounds of force in tension and/orcompression. As a result of its strength, a portion of adjacent segmentsmay overlap each other to minimize stresses at overlap areas 30.

An attachment device 35 is secured to one end of the cleaning staff 10.The attachment device includes a connection (e.g., a threaded connector)which can mate with a number of different tools, such as for example, abrush, an extractor, or a cutter. As a result, the tools areinterchangeable and the cleaning staff 10 can be used for a number ofdifferent cleaning and maintenance procedures.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a cleaning staff 10′ for artillery.This embodiment also includes 4 telescoping segments 15 a, 15 b, 15 c,and 15 d and the tool attachment device 35 (see FIG. 3). Cleaning staff10′ has six depressable buttons (only three buttons are in view in FIG.2, the remaining three buttons are on the opposing side of the cleaningstaff 10′). The buttons 50 fit through openings 20 on the segments andare used as the securing devices to lock the cleaning staff 10′ in theexpanded configuration. (See FIG. 4, showing a button extending throughthe opening 20 on an adjacent segment.)

Referring to FIG. 5, cleaning staff 10′ has a rounded triangular shapeor profile. As a result, the cleaning staff 10′ fits comfortably in anoperators hand and provides a good surface to grip. In addition, theprofile of cleaning staff 10′ eliminates rolling of the cleaning staff.For example, when an artillery operator places the cleaning staff downon a surface, he or she does not have to worry about the cleaning staffrolling away from the position in which the operator placed the staffdown, because the angles present in the profile minimize rolling of thecleaning staff 10′.

While a number of exemplary embodiments have been discussed, otherembodiments are also possible. For example, while cleaning staff 10 hasbeen described as including four segments, a cleaning staff inaccordance with the present invention can include any number of multiplesegments (e.g., 2 segments, 3 segments, 4 segments, 5 segments, 6segments). The plurality of segments making up the cleaning staff can bemodular. That is, one or more of the segments can be removed to form acleaning staff with a shorter expanded configuration. Similarly, one ormore segments can be added to form a cleaning staff with a longerexpanded configuration. As a result, the telescoping cleaning staff 10of the present invention can be used in an number of different artillerydevices which may have differing barrel lengths.

Embodiments of the invention can also feature different cross-sectionalprofiles than the profiles described above (e.g., circular profile,rounded triangular profile). For example, cleaning staff 10 can have atriangular cross-sectional profile, a square cross-sectional profile, ora rectangular cross-sectional profile. These angular profiles can beslightly contoured or rounded (e.g., rounded triangular profile as shownin FIG. 5) to provide the user with a comfortable surface to grip.

It is also possible to add a handle (e.g., a strap or a t-bar) to an endof the cleaning staff (i.e., the end opposite the end including theattachment connector 35). The handle provides a location at which theuser could apply torque to the cleaning staff more easily.

Variations, modifications, and other implementations of what isdescribed herein will occur to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited only to the precedingillustrative descriptions.

1. A telescoping cleaning staff for artillery comprising: a bodyincluding a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments beingtranslatable so as to form an elongated body.
 2. The telescopingcleaning staff of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of segmentsinterlock with an adjacent segment to form the elongated body.
 3. Thetelescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofsegments has a cross-sectional profile that minimizes rolling.
 4. Thetelescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofsegments has a cross-sectional profile shape selected from the groupconsisting of circular, triangular, and hexagonal.
 5. The telescopingcleaning staff of claim 1 further comprising one or more buttons to locktwo adjacent segments together.
 6. The telescoping cleaning staff ofclaim 1 further comprising one or more expanders.
 7. The telescopingcleaning staff of claim 1 further comprising an attachment element toallow for tool attachment.
 8. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 7,wherein the attachment element is connectable to a brush.
 9. Thetelescoping cleaning staff of claim 7, wherein the attachment element isconnectable to an extractor.
 10. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim1, wherein the plurality of segments comprise aluminum.
 11. Thetelescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segmentscomprise a composite.
 12. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1,wherein the each of the plurality of segments has a length less thanabout 17 inches long.
 13. The telescoping cleaning staff of claim 1,wherein the elongated body has a length of about 48 inches long.
 14. Thetelescoping cleaning staff of claim 1, further comprising a handle. 15.A method of expanding an unexpanded telescoping cleaning staff forartillery, the method comprising: translating at least one of aplurality of segments which form the telescoping cleaning staff forartillery to expand the telescoping cleaning staff; and securing thetelescoping cleaning staff in an expanded configuration.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein securing the telescoping cleaning staff in anexpanded configuration comprises locking adjacent segments together. 17.The method of claim 15, further comprising: attaching a tool to an endof the cleaning staff.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein translatingat least of the plurality of segments to expand the telescoping cleaningstaff includes rotating and advancing at least of the plurality ofsegments.
 19. An expandable artillery cleaning staff comprising: aplurality of translatable segments, each of the segments including alocking device to maintain adjacent segments in an expandedconfiguration; and a detachable tool disposed on an end portion of oneof the plurality of translatable segments.
 20. The expandable artillerycleaning staff of claim 19 wherein each of the plurality of translatablesegments has a cross-sectional profile shape selected from the groupconsisting of circular, triangular, and hexagonal.